Fluid operated coupling with radially guided friction segments

ABSTRACT

A radially adjustable friction clutch or brake that can be engaged and disengaged hydraulically between two members so mounted as to be rotatable relatively to one another, comprising a cylindrical resilient clamping sleeve extending between two coaxial cylindrical boundary pieces, and forming, with a cylindrical body which carries it, an annular chamber to be actuated by liquid under pressure, the side of the resilient clamping sleeve that faces the wall surface of one of the members to be clamped being provided with annularly arranged clamping segments separated from one another by longitudinally extending gaps.

[45] Mar. 14, 1972 [54] FLUID OPERATED COUPLING WITH RADIALLY GUIDEDFRICTION SEGMENTS Erwin Kost, Osterath, Germany Schloe'rnannAktiengesellschaft, Dusseldorf, Germany Filed: June 8, 1970 Appl. No.244,257

Inventor:

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data June 11, 1969 Germany ..P 19 29 521.7

US. Cl ..l92/88 B, 188/335, 188/367 Int. Cl

Field oiSearch ..l92/88 B; 188/367,335, 340

Referemes Cited 2,229,922 l/l94l Heinze ..l92/88B 2,695,697 ll/l954Stoeckicht ..l92/88B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 630,719 6/ 1936Germany ..l92/88 B Primary Examiner-Benjamin W. Wyche Attorney-Holman &Stern [57] ABSTRACT A radially adjustable friction clutch or brake thatcan be engaged and disengaged hydraulically between two members somounted as to be rotatable relatively to one another, comprising acylindrical resilient clamping sleeve extending between two coaxialcylindrical boundary pieces, and forming, with a cylindrical body whichcarries it, an annular chamber to be actuated by liquid under pressure,the side of the resilient clamp ing sleeve that faces the wall surfaceof one of the members to be clamped being provided with annularlyarranged clamping segments separated from one another by longitudinallyextending gaps.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures iffy)? PATENTEDMAR 14 m2 SHEET 2 OF 3 IN VENTOR.

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IN VEN TOR.

ERWI N KOST D'wva? VM FLUID OPERATED COUPLING WITII RADIALLY GUIDEDFRICTION SEGMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tothe adoption of a clamping element that is known for the clamping andholding of tubes in tubetesting presses as a radially adjustablefriction clutch or brake, capable of being engaged and disengagedhydraulically, between two members so mounted as to be rotationallymovable relative to one another.

These clamping elements consist of a cylindrical resilient sleeve, whichis arranged axially between two cylindrical boundary pieces, and forms,with a cylindrical body carrying it, an annular chamber, to be suppliedwith pressure liquid, and, on the side adjacent to the wall of one ofthe members to be clamped, annularly arranged clamping segments areprovided, with axial gaps therebetween.

Friction clutches, including clutches closable pneumatically or withother fluids are known, in which a hose pipe, expansible by fluidpressure couples together two clutch members that are rotatablerelatively to one another, with the torque being transmitted to thefrictional surface of the member to be coupled through friction jawsindividually secured to the hose pipe. The friction jaws are secured tothe hose by means of bolts located in axial bores in the hose surface. Acrossbar, which engages in a groove located in a rubber coating andwhich is welded to foot plates, is to assist the bolts in theirresistance to displacement of the friction jaws upon the hose by torqueaction.

Upon closure of the clutch, the friction jaws are held by axiallylocated rods, the ends of which are supported, for the transmission ofthe torque, in side rings enclosing the hose or a membrane. These rodsare guided in the friction jaws in a passage in which they can moveradially against spring pressure. Furthermore, the individual frictionjaws are provided with lips projecting in a peripheral direction, whichextend into corresponding recesses in the adjacent friction jaw. Thisoverlapping is to serve for giving the friction jaws a better mutualguidance, and, above all to guard against a direct spark transmissionfrom the wearing brake jaws to the readily combustible rubber hose.

It is a disadvantage of these clutches that they have a comparativelylarge diameter, and therefore a large moment of inertia (GD).Furthermore, the build up and design is complicated and expensive, andthere is a risk that with the large torques to be transmitted, andtherefore correspondingly high pressures in the pressure medium, therubber hose may force its way into the gaps remaining between thefriction jaws and may rapidly wear out.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a hydraulicallycontrollable friction clutch of simple construction, which can transmitlarge torques, in consequence of high hydraulic pressures, whilepresenting a small moment of inertia (GD") in consequence of its smalloverall size, and having short switching times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, this object isattained by adopting the clamping elements known in tube-testing pressesfor holding tubes as a radially adjustable friction clutch capable ofbeing closed and opened hydraulically, by the feature that the clampingsegments themselves are constructed as tappet or catch segments, andcomprise on their end faces driving tappets or catches which engage in aradially movable manner in recesses in the boundary pieces, which bearaxially on the resilient clamping sleeve, and wherein the boundarypieces are connected rotationally fast with the one of the driving ordriven rotationally mounted bodies, and wherein further the axial gapsbetween the clamping segments are covered, relatively to the clampingsleeve, by T-shaped sections located with the flange bearing on theclamping sleeve and with the web engaged between the clamping segments.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping segments and thedriving tappets consist of a member wherein the driving tappets engagein a radially movable manner, like fitting keys, in recesses constructedas keyways in the boundary pieces.

I In consequence of the clamping segments being integral with thedriving tappets, a simple and uncomplicated construction of the clutchis ensured. In consequence of the axial gaps located between theclamping segments being covered relatively to the clamping sleeve byT-shaped sections, a very high pressure may be exerted upon the clampingsleeve,

without there being a risk that the sleeve will, in this way, be" forcedinto the gaps and wear out rapidly. Furthennore, with penetration of thesleeve material into the gaps, the functioning of the tappet segmentswould be influenced by the fact that the clamping segments could nolonger return into their original smaller position as an annular form.By employing the clamping sleeve, which is axially sealed by boundarypieces, instead of a hose, and by the simple construction of theclamping segments, a substantially smaller diameter of the clutch isattained than with hitherto known hydraulically controllable frictionclutches. Consequently the moment of inertia is also smaller. Thecontrol times of the clutch are therefore very short, in consequence ofthe liquid spaces in the clutch being very small.

Advantageously, one of the rotationally movable members is provided as adriving shaft, upon which one of the boundary pieces for the clampingsleeve is arranged as a hub which is BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be further explained with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a hydraulically controllablefriction clutch on the line l[ in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section on the line II-II in FIG. 1 the viewlooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section on the line llllll in FIG. 1, the viewlooking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 shows a view of the friction clutch with the driven memberremoved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Upon a driving shaft 1, as a casingfor the clamping means, is arranged a hub 2, with a flange 3 located onone end face. This hub is rendered rotationally fast on the drivingshaft by means of a fitting key 4, and axially undisplaceable by meansof a screw 5. To the end of .the hub 2 remote from the flange 3 a flangering 6 is secured rotationally fast by means of keyways 7 and a nut 8.The nut 8 is secured against loosening by a locking plate or tab washer9. The space between the flange 3 and the flange ring 6 is filled up bya cylindrical resilient clamping sleeve 10, which, bearing with sealinglips 11 upon the driving shaft 1 or on the hub 2 and against the flange3 and the flange ring 6, fonns, with the driving shaft 1 or the hub 2,an annular chamber 12.

Through the driving shaft 1 there passes, for the purpose of supplyingliquid under pressure to the annular chamber 12, an axial bore 13 and atransverse bore 14. Over the transverse bore 14 there is provided, onthe inside of the hub 2, an annular chamber 15, from which one or moretransverse bores 16 extend through the hub 2 to the annular chamber 12fonned with the clamping sleeve 10. In the outwardly directed end facesof the clamping sleeve are embedded helical springs 17.

To guard against leakage of pressure liquid, sealing sleeves or collars18 are provided on the one hand between the hub 2 and the flange ring 6,and on the other hand to the right and left of the annular chamber inthe hub 2.

Cast on or secured to the outside of the clamping sleeve 10 there arelongitudinally extending T-shaped sections 19, the web of which extendsoutwards. Between these webs 20 are provided clamping segments 21,bearing annularly on the clamping sleeve 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Thesegments 21 are separated by longitudinal gaps 22, with their end facesbeing constructed as driving tappets or catches. These tappets 23 (FIG.3) are shaped like fitting keys, and engage, so as to be radiallymovable, in corresponding recesses 24 (FIG. 4) formed as grooves, in theoutsides of the flange 3 and of the flange ring 6.

The tappets 23, and the portions of the flange 3 and of the flange ring6 located between the recesses 24, comprise, on their outside,peripheral grooves 25, in which are located annular releasing springs26, resisting the outwardly directed clamping pressure.

Centrally over the tappet segments 21 there lies a cylindrical tappetbody 27, to each of the end faces of which a flange ring 28 is securedby means of screws 29. In bores 30 in the flange ring 28 are arrangedsliding bearings 31, which slide upon the driving shaft 1. Upon thetappet body 27 there may be arranged a toothed wheel 32, by way of whichthe off-drive from the driving shaft 1 is effected.

The method of operation of the clutch is as follows: Through arotational connection, (not shown) pressure liquid is supplied to thedriving shaft 1, and passes by way of the bores 13 and 14 located in thedriving shaft 1, and by the bore 16, into the annular chamber 12 insidethe resilient clamping sleeve 10. In consequence of the radial expansionof the clamping sleeve 10, the clamping segments 21 located on itsexternal periphery are pressed against the inside of the tappet body 27.Under these circumstances, the torque issuing from the driving shaft 1is transmitted, by way of the hub 2, the flange 3 and the flange ring 6,and the recesses 24 located therein, to the tappets 23 of the clampingsegments 21, and is transmitted from these, by the frictionalconnection, to the tappet body 27.

The closing of the clutch may be effected with the driving shaft 1either stationary or running. Upon the side of the clamping segments 21facing the tappet body 27 there may be provided additional frictionalcoatings or corresponding pairings with the tappet body 27.

The construction of the invention is not restricted to a clutch, but isequally applicable to brakes.

Iclaim:

l. A hydraulically controlled radially adjustable friction clutch orbrake for clamping together two members that are rotatable relatively toone another, comprising: a cylindrical body surrounding the first of themembers to be clamped, a cylindrical boundary piece in the form of aflange on one end of said cylindrical body, also surrounding said memberto be clamped, a second cylindrical boundary piece surrounding the otherend of said cylindrical body, a cylindrical resilient clamping sleeve,carried by said cylindrical body and extending coaxially between the twocylindrical boundary pieces, said cylindrical body and resilientclamping sleeve enclosing therebetween an annular chamber, means forintroducing liquid under pressure into said annular chamber, clampingsegments annularly arranged, with longitudinal gaps therebetween, onthat side of the clamping sleeve that faces the wall surface of thesecond of the two members to be clamped said boundary pieces beingformed with recesses and said resilient clamping segments bearingaxially at their ends against the boundary pieces, and being formed attheir ends with tappets which enga%e in a radially movable manner insaid recesses, sard boun ary preces being connected rotationally fastwith the first of the members to be clarnped together, and T-shapedsections, the webs of which are interposed in the gaps between thetappet segments while their flanges bear upon the resilient clampingsleeve, thus closing the gaps on that side.

2. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed inclaim 1, the recesses in the boundary pieces are in the form of keyways,and tappets engaging therein are in the form of fitting keys.

3. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed inclaim 1, in which the first of the members to be clamped together is adriving shaft, the cylindrical boundary piece in the form of a flange isa hub rotationally fast on said shaft, and the other boundary piece issecured rotationally fast on said hub by means of keyways and a nut.

4. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed inclaim 1, in which the second of the rotatable members to be clamped is acylindrical slidable driven member, the internal wall surface of whichis located centrally over the clamping segments on the driving shaft.

5. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed inclaim 1, in which the clamping segments are formed with peripheralgrooves, and releasing springs located in said grooves and opposing theclamping pressure.

1. A hydraulically controlled radially adjustable friction clutch or brake for clamping together two members that are rotatable relatively to one another, comprising: a cylindrical body surrounding the first of the members to be clamped, a cylindrical boundary piece in the form of a flange on one end of said cylindrical body, also surrounding said member to be clamped, a second cylindrical boundary piece surrounding the other end of said cylindrical body, a cylindrical resilient clamping sleeve, carried by said cylindrical body and extending coaxially between the two cylindrical boundary pieces, said cylindrical body and resilient clamping sleeve enclosing therebetween an annular chamber, means for introducing liquid under pressure into said annular chamber, clamping segments annularly arranged, with longitudinal gaps therebetween, on that side of the clamping sleeve that faces the wall surface of the second of the two members to be clamped said boundary pieces being formed with recesses and said resilient clamping segments bearing axially at their ends against the boundary pieces, and being formed at their ends with tappets which engage in a radially movable manner in said recesses, said boundary pieces being connected rotationally fast with the first of the members to be clamped together, and T-shaped sections, the webs of which are interposed in the gaps between the tappet segments while their flanges bear upon the resilient clamping sleeve, thus closing the gaps on that side.
 2. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed in claim 1, the recesses in the boundary pieces are in the form of keyways, and tappets engaging therein are in the form of fitting keys.
 3. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the first of the members to be clamped together is a driving shaft, the cylindrical boundary piece in the form of a flange is a hub rotationally fast on said shaft, and the other boundary piece is secured rotationally fast on said hub by means of keyways and a nut.
 4. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the second of the rotatable members to be clamped is a cylindrical slidable driven member, the internal wall surface of which is located centrally over the clamping segments on the driving shaft.
 5. The hydraulically controlled friction clutch or brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the clamping segments are formed with peripheral grooves, and releasing springs located in said grooves and opposing the clamping pressure. 